The Kw’as Park trails are located in a 70 hectare forested area between Hague and Gunflint Lakes on Cortes Island. The trails pass through a variety of ecosystems including a wet area spruce grove, a ridge with good size red cedars, a valley with large alders, high grounds with pine, arbutus trees and manzanita bushes, etc. Close to 20% of the park is still virgin old growth and the rest is second growth forests.
Find more Kw’as Park history.
Hike Information
This large network of trails varies in difficulty and time depending on the route that you choose. Trail maps with details are available at both trailheads and the park is well maintained with clear signs and trails though is a little rugged in some steep areas. These trails will lead you along the side of both Hague and Gunflint lakes, through deep old forest and over high manzanita covered bluffs. Park either at the sharp corner on Seaford Rd or at the park entrance on K’was Bay Rd.
Please no biking in K’was Park.
Access: Off Seaford Road near the Cortes Motel or on Kw’as Bay Road — take Bartholomew Road east from Sutil Point Road, turn left at the first junction (Hague Road) and then right at the first junction (Kw’as Park Road), following the signs downhill.
Estimated Walking Time: ~1.5 hr – 4 hours.
Local’s Tip: Maps are available at both road heads. There’s also a PDF map here. The trail to the rusted Steam Donkey is an island favourite.
Any updates on Kw’as Park Trails?
Latest updates about Kwas Park Trails:
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Explore Other Cortes Island Hiking Trails
Whaletown Commons
Easily accessible from Whaletown Road, the Whaletown Commons offers several short loop hikes through dense, verdant forest populated by several beautiful old growth cedars along Whaletown Creek. It’s the perfect place for an easy walk, especially with children.
Children’s Forest
A broad swath of land across the northwest of Cortes Island, the Children’s Forest stretches from Whaletown to Carrington Bay. It’s lined with logging roads and hiking trails — quiet and perfect for a half-day walk (or even longer).
Grandmother Grove
Grandmother Grove sits at the southern end of Carrington Bay, where the sand disappears into the mouth of a stream surrounded by tall spruce and dense ferns. One of the most beautiful and accessible of Cortes Island’s day hikes.
Kwas Park
Kw’as Park, stretching between Hague Lake and Gunflint Lake, has more than 170 acres of hiking trails through old growth cedar, spruce groves, and bluffs with pine and manzanita. Wildlife is often spotted in the park. With so many trails, Kw’as Park is the perfect forest to explore.
Siskin Lane
The Siskin Lane Forest is a 13 acre park that was donated to the Comox-Strathcona Regional District, to be managed in partnership with the Cortes community. A conservation covenant held by The Land Conservancy of BC prohibits any timber harvesting or development to protect the park’s ecological values in perpetuity. A network of well-kept trails runs through the park, a perfect spot to walk and explore.
Ha’thayim (Von Donop) Marine Provincial Park
This undeveloped marine wilderness park encompasses lakes, estuaries, a salt water lagoon and the old-growth forest Coast-Salish First nations call “Ha’thayim”. Wilderness camping is permitted and the area is popular with cruising boats seeking remote tranquility in this beautiful area. Opportunities for wildlife viewing, camping, hiking and exploration exist in this rugged park, which features reversing tidal rapids, steep-sided fjords and tidal flats within its boundaries.